10 Most Impactful WWE Superstars Of All Time

#5: SHAWN MICHAELS

Shawn Michaels has had a remarkable run in WWE.

Like his nemesis Hart, Michaels originally started out a tag-team specialist in the Rockers. He was clearly the better half of the team, and he eventually broke into singles' action just like Hart.

He was also a smaller, better-conditioned athlete like Hart and that was a departure from the muscle-bound warriors Vince had previously pushed.

His heel-turn on 'the Barber Shop' was another unforgettable moment as he tossed former partner Marty Jannetty through the glass window on the set.

It was around this time that Michaels and his stable of friends, the Kliq, became a terror to work with according to Hart, the British Bulldog, Shane Douglas and Undertaker.

They had Vince's ear and got away with practically anything they wanted. They only agreed to drop a title to a member of the Kliq faction.

Michaels' backstage grip lasted until he severely injured his back in a casket match with the Undertaker.

He desperately needed back surgery, so from 1998 until 2002, the Heartbreak Kid was absent from any in-ring action. He was an on-screen commissioner at one point, but he ultimately returned to action in 2002.

During his time away from competing, Michaels became a Born-Again Christian. According to his book Wrestling For My Life: the Legend, the Reality and the Faith of a WWE Superstar, it helped him overcome his addiction to alcohol, drugs and womanizing. He instead turned his focus to his faith and his family.

Throughout his career, however, Michaels has been known to always put on a great match at Wrestlemania. Because of this, he gained the moniker 'Mr. Wrestlemania'. Just watch his matches with Razor Ramon and the Undertaker to see why.

So many wrestlers from today like Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan, whom he had a hand in training, have clearly been influenced by HBK.